Lys. Thou canst compel no more than she en treat; Thy threats have no more strength, than her weak prayers. Helen, I love thee; by my life, I do; I swear by that which I will lose for thee, Her. prove it too. Lysander, whereto tends all this? Lys. Away, you Ethiop! Dem. No, no, sir :-he will Seem to break loose; take on, as you would follow; But yet come not: You are a tame man, go! Lys. Hang off, thou cat, thou burr: vile thing let loose; Or I will shake thee from me, like a serpent. Her. Why are you grown so rude? what change is this, Sweet love? Lys. Thy love? out, tawny Tartar, out! Out, loathed medicine! hated potion, hence! Hel. Yes, 'sooth; and so do you. Lys. Demetrius, I will keep my word with thee. Dem. I would, I had your bond; for, I perceive, A weak bond holds you; I'll not trust your word. Lys. What, should I hurt her, strike her, kill her dead? Although I hate her, I'll not harm her so. Her. What, can you do me greater harm, than hate? Hate me! wherefore? O me! what news, my love? Am not I Hermia? Are not you Lysander? I am as fair now, as I was erewhile. Since night, you lov'd me; yet, since night you left me: Why, then you left me,-O, the gods forbid !— Lys. Ay, by my life; Her. O me! you juggler! you canker-blossom!! You thief of love! what, have you come by night, And stol'n my love's heart from him? Hel. Now I perceive that she hath made compare me, gentlemen, Let her not hurt me: I was never curst ;2 I have no gift at all in shrewishness; I am a right maid for my cowardice; Let her not strike me: You, perhaps, may think, Because she's something lower than myself, That I can match her. Her. Lower! hark, again. Hel. Good Hermia, do not be so bitter with me. I evermore did love you, Hermia, Did ever keep your counsels, never wrong'd you; Save, that in love unto Demetrius, I told him of your stealth unto this wood: (1) A worm that preys on buds of flowers. (2) Shrewish or mischievous. He follow'd you; for love, I follow'd him. To Athens will I bear my folly back, And follow you no further: Let me go: Her. Why, get you gone: Who is't that hinders you? Hel. A foolish heart, that I leave here behind. Her. What, with Lysander? Hel. With Demetrius. Lys. Be not afraid: she shall not harm thee, Helena. Dem. No, sir; she shall not, though you take her part. Hel. O, when she's angry, she is keen and shrewd : She was a vixen, when she went to school; Lys. Get you gone, you dwarf ; You minimus, of hind'ring knot-grass2 made; You bead, you acorn. Dem. You are too officious, In her behalf that scorns your services. Let her alone; speak not of Helena; Take not her part: for if thou dost intend3 Thou shalt aby it. Lys. Now she holds me not; Now follow, if thou dar'st, to try whose right, (1) Foolish. (2) Anciently knot-grass was believed to prevent the growth of children. (3) Pretend. Dem. Follow? nay, I'll go with thee, cheek by jole. [Exeunt Lys. and Dem. Her. You, mistress, all this coil is 'long of you: Nay, go not back. Hel. I will not trust you, I; Nor longer stay in your curst company. Your hands, than mine, are quicker for a fray; My legs are longer though, to run away. [Exit. Her. I am amaz'd, and know not what to say. [Exit, pursuing Helena, Obe. This is thy negligence: still thou mistak'st, Or else commit'st thy knaveries wilfully. Puck. Believe me, king of shadows, I mistook. Did not you tell me, I should know the man By the Athenian garments he had on? And so far blameless proves my enterprise, That I have 'nointed an Athenian's eyes: And so far am I glad it so did sort,1 As this their jangling I esteem a sport, Obe. Thou seest, these lovers seek a place to fight: Hie therefore, Robin, overcast the night; The starry welkin cover thou anon (1) Happen. (2) Medicinal efficacy. (3) Go. With league, whose date till death shall never end. From monster's view, and all things shall be peace. haste; For night's swift dragons cut the clouds full fast, And yonder shines Aurora's harbinger; At whose approach, ghosts, wandering here and there, Troop home to church-yards: damned spirits all, Enter Lysander. Lys. Where art thou, proud Demetrius? speak thou now. Puck. Here villain; drawn and ready. Where art thou? Lys. I will be with thee straight. (1) Cephalus, the paramour of Aurora. |